Parvati was deeply in love with Shiva but he was not ready to take anyone as his wife, after the death of his first wife SatiSatiThe name Sati means true and justifying her name.... Parvati then performed severe penance and so pure was her love and such strong dedication she had in her heart that Shiva finally accepted her as his consort. It is believed that she took 108 births to gain the companionship of Shiva. Thus Parvati is also known as Teej Mata (the mother of this festival). Women pray to Goddess Parvati and sing songs in her praise. They ask her to bless them with utmost devotion for their husband and also give them strength to fulfill all their duties as wives.

This festival comes in the rainy season when everything around is green and refreshing. Nature is at its best and greenery fills the arena thus the name ‘Haryali’ is bestowed upon the day, meaning green. The day is also known as Teejen.

Ways of Celebrating Hariyali Teej

The day is majorly celebrated by the women of North India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan, to gain forever happiness and strength in their marital life and also to attain conjugal bliss. They wear green colored clothes and green bangles also representing the freshness, growth and fertility of their married life. Wearing jewelry of gold or flowers and applying makeup and henna is also a part of the tradition. Women consider that the dark color left behind after removing the henna paste is very auspicious. The dark color is considered symbolic of the immense love the girl will attain in her new home by her husband.

Both married and unmarried women fast on this day to attain a healthy and long life for their husbands and to get married to a suitable match respectively. Offering prayers, curd, fruits and flowers to the moon at night is also a ritual. The fast is observed without even drinking water and women can consume food or water only the next day. The fast continues for twenty-four hours.

Swings and Sindhara

Women sing and dance throughout the day and take a day off from their monotonous routine. They also prepare swings by hanging strong ropes around the trunk or strong branches of the trees. Many local fairs are also organized for them in which they can play and have fun. They also visit their parents’ house to enjoy their liberty and to achieve their blessings.

Women are given gifts by their in-laws. Mainly mother-in-law presents a bucket full of presents known as Sindhara. It contains new clothes, bangles, henna and sweets. It is believed that a married woman gets completed only when she is adorned with sixteen different items of beauty like vermilion, necklace, waistband etc., and all these items are to be presented in the Sindhara. Thus this day is also known as Sindhara Teej.

Regional Colors of the Festival

In Maharashtra, women gift each other decorated coconuts and form a stronger bond with their female relatives. In Punjab, women form groups and perform a special and traditional dance form known as Gidda. In Chandigarh, cultural events take place at Rock Garden. In Haryana, one can see the sky full of colorful kites as the part of the festivity.